Catalytic oxidation of anthracene



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. WEISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND CHARLES R. DOWNS, F CLIFFSIDE, NEW

JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO THE BARRETT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

New York and No Drawing.

CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ANTHRACENE.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, (1) JOHN M. Wnrss and (2) CHARLES R. Downs, citizens of the United States, residing at (1) 210 West 110th street and (2) Cliffside, in the counties (1) (2) Bergen and States of (1) New York and (2) New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Catalytic Oxidation of Anthracene, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the catalytic oxidation of anthracene.. It comprises the partial oxidation of anthracene by oxygen,

either alone or mixed with diluents, in the presence of a catalyzer to form anthraquinone.

The invention may be practised by subjecting anthracene in the vapor stage, mixed with air or other diluent gases, to a suitable temperature in the presence of an oxid of vanadium, or other compound of vanadium. By suitably regulating the conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and presence of diluents, and operating with the proper cata lyst, the degree of oxidation can be controlled whereby the anthracene is oxidized to an extent short of what is commonly known as complete combustion, to produce anthraquinone.

The invention will be explained in con-, nection with the following example which is given for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to limit the procedure to the exact details given as the process can be varied throughout wide limits without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A mixture of anthracene and air in the vapor form is passed through tubes heated to about 300C. to 500 C., the tubes containing vanadium oxid deposited on crushed pumice, with the result that anthraquinone is produced. Instead of introducing oxy- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 1, 1918. Serial No. 260,749.

tubes may be used in which to place the catalyzer; instead of vanadium oxid, other compounds of vanadium may be used as the catalyzer. It is essential that hot anthracene in the vapor stage shall come in contact with the catalyzer in the presence of oxygen for the proper oxidation to take place. The introduction of a diluent gas is a convenient way to regulate the reaction. It has been found that the pressure may be varied throughout quite wide ranges, say from slightly below atmospheric up to two atmospheres or more with satisfactory results.

The following equation is suggested as representing the reaction which takes place, though it is not desired to limit the operation to any particular theory. The equation is given to explain the reaction as indicated by the results obtained.

- on co the vapor phase to oxidation by oxygen in.

the presence of an oxid of vanadium as a catalyzer at a temperature of about 300 C. to 500 0.

2. The method, of oxidizing anthracene which comprises passing a mixtureof an-.

thra'cene in the vapor phase, and an oxygen containing gas, into contact with an oxid of vanadium as a catalyzer heated to a temperature of about 300 C. to 500 C. whereby anthraquinone is produced.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

JQHN M. WEISS. CHARLES R. DOWNS, 

